cork

cork protective, waterproof outer covering of the stems and roots of woody plants. Cork is a specialized secondary tissue produced by the cork cambium of the plant (see meristem , bark ). The regularly arranged walls of cork cells are impregnated with a waxy material, called suberin, that is almost impermeable to water or gases. Commercial cork, obtained from the cork oak , is buoyant in water because of the presence of trapped air in the cavities of the waterproof dead cells. It is also resilient, light, chemically inert, and, because of the suction cup action of the cut cells, adhesive. These qualities make cork valuable for bottle stoppers, insulating materials, linoleum, and many household and industrial items.

cork Outer, dead, waterproof layer of the bark of woody plants. The bark of the cork oak, native to Mediterranean countries, is the chief source of commercial cork. Family Fagaceae; species Quercus ruber.

cork bark of the cork-oak XIV; †cork sole or sandal XIV; stopper, prop. of cork XVI. prob. — Du., LG. kork — Sp. alcorque cork sole or shoe, of Arab. orig. (see AL- 2).
Hence as vb. †furnish with a cork sole XVI; stop with a cork XVII.